SeeFreeNews.com

January 10, 2012

**Please note-The Following Letter was sent to SeeFreeNews.com and will be Posted as Letter to the Editor, Jan. 10, 2012

I, a Concerned Freeport Citizen, wish to bring to your kind attention a pending ordinance that has had five readings in front of the Freeport City Council and is being championed by the Gaulrapp Administration. 

Should we be concerned? The ordinance, as proposed, allows the city to adopt a “broken window” concept and identifies a public nuisance building many times and in many ways. I, a Concerned Freeport Citizen, will not burden you with all the definitions, but to highlight a few:

a.)    Any building that lacks sanitary sewage or plumbing.

b.)    Any building the building inspector determines to be unsafe.

c.)     Any building that is capable of being a fire hazard.

d.)    Any building that is unsanitary or littered with rubbish.

e.)    Any building that has overgrown weeds.

f.)     Any building that is in a state of deterioration or decay.

g.)    Any building with doors, windows or other openings boarded up.

The ordinance proposed states that if any vacant building is deemed by the building inspector to fall under the aforementioned categories (among many others), it is “detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare; unreasonably interferes with the reasonable and lawful use and enjoyment of other premises within the neighborhood; may pose an extraordinary danger to police officers or firefighters entering the premises in time of emergency; and detracts from the appearance and good order of the neighborhood; all of which effects are especially associated with such buildings that have been vacant for over two years…”

Should we be concerned…? That the ordinance proposes:

a.)    Remediation plans

b.)    Exterior lighting

c.)     Window replacement

d.)    Fines

e.)    Repairs

f.)     City code compliance 

Should we be concerned…? The City of Freeport and the Gaulrapp Administration are owners of three (Rawleigh building, Former City Hall, Former Public Library) of the largest vacant structures in the city limits? 

Should we be concerned…? That the City of Freeport and the Gaulrapp Administration, by their own definition, will be the owners of three facilities (Rawleigh building, Former City Hall, Former Public Library) that “may pose an extraordinary danger to police officers or firefighters entering the premises in time of emergency; and detracts from the appearance and good order of the neighborhood; all of which effects are especially associated with such buildings that have been vacant for over two years…”

Should we be concerned…? Mayor Gaulrapp stated at the last City Council meeting that replacing the windows in Rawleigh alone would cost in excess of $100,000.00.

Should we be concerned…? The owners of vacant properties considered derelict (or “slumlords”) must spend their limited resources to bring their buildings up to city code, all the while the largest landlord and owner of vacant or derelict properties is the City of Freeport and the Gaulrapp Administration. 

Should we be concerned…? If the ordinance is passed as written, the City of Freeport and the Gaulrapp Administration will have to spend untold millions of dollars that we the tax payers don’t have to adhere to this ordinance? 

Should we be concerned…? The City of Freeport and the Gaulrapp Administration are proposing to re-write the pending ordinance to exempt City property and adopt a “do as we say, not as we do,” stance?

Should we be concerned…? That there have been five readings of this ordinance with a sixth planned and it appears the City of Freeport and the Gaulrapp Administration have not thought through what they have repeatedly read?

Without question, everyone would agree that our economy is struggling on a National level. On a local level, unemployment is excessive and families are struggling. New opportunities are limited and our future is bleak as our community leaders have not been able to foster a cohesive vision for the community in which we live.

As a Concerned Freeport Citizen, I ask each of you - if you are also Concerned, let your friends and family know that the liability that we face as Concerned Freeport Citizens. With the admission of the Freeport City Council and the Gaulrapp Administration that they are the largest derelict slumlord in Northwest Illinois, to be in compliance with their own ordinance could cost us untold millions.

*The preceeding letter was received unsigned Jan 10, 2012*

January 5, 2012:

Dear Editor: 

Christmas and New Year’s celebrations are behind us. It was such a good time to be with the family and (try) to forget about the dismal future of our country. I keep thinking about Hope and Change.

In order to save this once great nation, I hope we get a different president as well as change to a conservative senate. That’s like what Newt Gingrich did in 1994 with his Contract with America (not that Newt is my #1 choice, though any of the challengers would be a vast improvement over Obama). However, it was the first time in 40 years that the Republicans held both houses.

I remember how our U.S. Congress held Clinton’s feet to the fire. He vetoed welfare reform three times before signing the congressional bill. I will give President Clinton credit. Unlike Obama, he was smart enough to move to the center and work with the Republican Congress.

In 1998 they passed the first balanced budget since 1969. Under Newt they had four consecutive years of balanced budgets.

Projected through 2012, Obama and company will have driven up the debt more than all of the previous presidents combined (Politifact). At this point now, no matter who gets in office with a debt of $15 trillion, can this country be saved? At our next Tea Party meeting we will get some answers to this topic.
 
We are pleased to have 18-year-old, home-schooled economist and author (now), Savannah Liston back with us. Savannah is an economics graduate from Mises Institute. She works part time, implementing improvement projects at a local aerospace company. Some of her ideas are thought-provoking, and you will certainly find this an educational experience.

Let us meet at 111 E. Mason St., Lena, IL on January 12th at 6:30 P.M. Contact Stephenson County Tea Party at
 
< stepcoteaparty@aeroinc.net >

Nov. 21, 2011 from Victoria F. Grizzoffi:

 The GOP candidates are making pledges of cutting what seems to be our only safety net, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency.
In Illinois we have seen first hand how the Federal EPA had to step in, clean house and enforce the laws that are there to protect us. As long as lobbyists and corporations are able to buy legislators and the pollution is not in their back yards or affects their families, the opposition is labeled as extreme fanatics and something to have the h*** scared out of them.
The right paints a picture of the Federal government controlling too much of our lives yet when it comes to agriculture, we in Illinois have no control and more states are following suit.  Just recently the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has caved under pressure allowing the largest dairy to expand even larger in spite of citizens pleas against it.  This factory farm can increase size, without notification or authorization from anyone. Citizens surrounded by large Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations have nowhere to turn when their lives are ruined by an industry that pollutes the air, ground and water with ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, e-coli, antibiotics, drug resistant e-coli, salmonella, and host of other lethal pathogens. The right is obviously only concerned about corporations rights, not human rights. Over time our individual rights have been taken away by making agriculture exempt from local control and that’s very American as long as it profit’s a Limited Liability Corporation. Tea anyone?
The families who have farmed for generations are squeezed out by these tycoons and it’s almost impossible for a young family to start new. Those who have had to give up farming are often left with guilt and shame of believing that they did something wrong. This mental abuse from agencies that are suppose to represent them and work with then, only profit’s LLC’s by buying up these smaller farms because the CAFO’s need more land to dispose on.
But why should the people in the urban areas care about what happens far away in the country? The industry will say that they are feeding the world and keeping prices down but we all know that world hunger has nothing to do with production and everything to do with distribution. Industrial factory farming affects them by the antibiotic resistant e-coli, and other lethal pathogens that is too often found in the food they put in their and their children’s mouths. It takes time but contaminated ground water travels for miles. It’s a guessing game exactly when and where contaminated water will show up but it will, it has.
We teach our children to wash our hands, we are told to cook meats and eggs thoroughly because it takes personal responsibility to eat safe.
I’d like to know, exactly how much personal responsibility does it take when we turn on a faucet, breathe air, open a bag of spinach or jar of peanut butter?

October 20, 2011:

October 7, 2011 from Bill Dietz

The Stephenson County Tea Party has taken the summer off and is ready to get back to work. We are resuming our meetings 6:30 pm October 13th at Dietz’s Old School Apartments 111 E. Mason St. Lena IL. Although the elections are a ways off there is much activity going on from the Federal level to the State and here locally. The Tea Party has been slammed as sexist, racist, and right wing radicals. But we have Michelle Bachman, a woman, and Herman Cain, a black man (who is gaining in the polls), running as conservatives for President. Are we radicals? I guess if that means we are for the constitution, as our founders who believed in limited government, then I guess we are. The Tea Party’s primary function is to educate citizens as to which candidates, at all levels, believe in these principles, and then vote the progressives /socialists, tax and spenders out.  This month members from our group will talk on subjects such as the stimulus, bail outs and debt, Wisconsin, Governor Walker, NIDA/ Prospering Together, and also a number of communist type of events that have made the news that you don’t hear on the major public networks. This 2012 election will be one of the most important elections of my lifetime.  When asked of Benjamin Franklin after signing the Constitution, what type of government have you given us, he responded “A Republic, if you can keep it.”  You can help us by getting involved or sending a contribution to Stephenson County Tea Party, PO Box 160, Lena IL. 61048.    Bill Dietz Lena, 815-369-4334   stepcoteaparty@aeroinc.net
 
 

September 13, 2011 from Bill Dietz:

 
    It is time to write my September editorial and I am not sure what subject to address. There has been so much dismantling of American ideals. What used to be wrong is right and what used to be right is wrong. How about the threat of violence by union boss Jimmy Hoffa on Labor Day saying that his union is the soldiers for President Obama and they are ready to march and take these Sons of B’s (referring to the Tea Party) out, (Mafia term for kill.) And how President Obama came on stage afterwards and said nothing about the violent rhetoric? Of course, how could he when his V.P. Joe Biden was in Cincinnati the same day saying that we have to “Keep the Barbarians from the gate” referring to the Tea Party. Or should I talk about the President's Job Czar and CEO of General Electric Jeffery Immelt shutting down his X-ray plant in Wisconsin and taking it to China?  Now he is going into partnership with China to build jets that will be in direct competition with USA Boeing.  And by the way, Obamas administration is fighting to stop Boeing from moving to South Carolina, a right to work state. Many citizens are taken in by this orator, but actions speak louder than words.
 
     Should I write about the agreement we have with the United Nations/ Agenda 21, which is designed to put all countries on a level playing field? Their laws can now be implemented in the USA. - example- America Mfg. Gibson Guitar was raided by police, workers threatened, records confiscated because they were using rare woods from other countries and it is against UN laws for American workers to process the wood. Guns owners are concerned that Agenda 21 will also be used to take away our second amendment rights. Should I talk about the Federal Reserve tripling our money supply, with worthless paper money so the government can borrow money to pay its own debt, (Quantitative easing/ QE 1, QE 2, and working on QE 3) thus devaluing our $$?  It's like the old moonshiners expanding their corn liquor with water. Should I talk about Obama's job stimulus that cost the Taxpayers $278,000 per job?
 
     Because of word limits in some newspapers I will skip a topic this month. The Stephenson County Tea Party will continue to promote a non-racist, nonviolent tone. We do promote educating the voters not tarnished by lobbyists influence, and political correctness.  Listen, Learn, and Vote! Bill Dietz stepcoteaparty@aeroinc.net Lena IL. 815-369-4334

July 29, 2011 from Victoria Grizzoffi :

This weeks flood has been painful. I feel sad for those affected by it and grateful that I have been dry so far. 
This makes me think of last months spill over in Peosta Iowa that caused a 10 mile fish kill. It’s only a matter of time to see if anything like that has happened here closer to home. Hopefully not.
Can you imagine the catastrophe we would have on our hands if a 43 acre manure pit breached? The rumor mill has been busy with guesses of Bos’ s property. Is it for sale? Has it been sold, leased, land contracted? I don’t know nor do I care about rumors. I do know for a fact that his half built dairy barns are being taken down. I do know for a fact that Mr. Bos is not milking cows in Jo Daviess.
I wonder what Mr. Sacia thinks about these facts? Are they still “good friends” or is someone not going to get a Christmas card this year? 
Oh well, C'est la vie!

July 21, 2011:

     Private business that pays all the taxes is lost in the shuffle. We need more pie makers and less pie eaters. The news tells about the pay and benefit increases for government employees. Big government keeps getting bigger. I deal with a lot of private entrepreneurs, and business is down. I talked to a trucker from Lanark. He has not gotten a pay raise in five years. I talked to a mason contractor that has dropped their rate $5 per hour. I talked to a landscaper and this year he is doing only small jobs. It is simple math. Government grows and taxable income goes down in the private sector, so the result is that rates and fees must go up. That just puts more pressure on business and makes it that much harder to survive. Illinois raised its income tax rate 67% as well as the corporate tax rate, and they wonder why many business are running to Texas - they have no state tax. There the state legislature only meets every other year for 140 days and then have to go home and live under the laws they pass.
 
    As you can see spending cuts are a misnomer. When President Obama talks cuts, he and many politicians are talking about a slowdown in the increase. President Obama’s 10 year budget predicts a $9 trillion spending increase. He said he will implement $3 trillion of real spending cuts. Ta Da! It is still a $6 trillion increase! (KY. (R) Sen. Rand Paul.) We must make cuts across the board. A few facts for thought: 42 cents of every tax dollar goes to pay the interest on our $14.6 Trillion debt. Our debt is 94% of the GDP/ Gross domestic product. Obama’s job stimulus cost $278,000 per job (White House council of Economic advisors). The Tea Party conservatives are the only ones that have come up with a plan to get our budget back on track. The President has yet to put his budget in writing so the CBO can analyze it.

Bill Dietz  Lena IL. stepcoteaparty@aeroinc.ent

June 20, 2011

Extra, Extra, read all about it! Is it lies, or just honest politics. President Obama said “Chrysler has paid every dime and more back to the American taxpayer and paid it six years ahead of schedule.”  Matt McCall, Pres. of Penn Financial says the American taxpayer gave $14 billion to Chrysler in four separate loans. We have gotten back $7.5 billion and still owed $6.5 billion. The kicker is, of the $7.5 billion paid back, $3.5 billion is from a grant from the Energy Department.That is just a slight of hand like the old pea under the shell game.  A similar game is played with Obama Motors/ GM. Taxpayer gives them a $50 billion bail out. They pay us back $6.7 billion and they call it debt paid.  For the balance, we the taxpayer own GM stock worth much less than we paid.  As McCall said this is clearly a union bail out. They should have gone into bankruptcy like most companies do, that would have been the only way they could clear the books of union demands. The union bail out is even more obvious with the government unions.  From IL. Taxpayer Education Foundation - in January,  IL. State income tax increased from 3% to 5%, and the corporate tax rate from 7.3% to 9.5%.   100% of the tax increase is going towards the pension and benefits of retired governmemt employies. Our politicians are protecting the government union pensions, because  in turn they have to protect their own one or two pensions. The NEA is the largest political campaign spender in the nation. The new union dues increase will give a additional $40 million per election cycle. There are 4,352 Government retirees in Illinois receiving pensions over $100,000!  Many will draw social security also.  Illinois debt is $146 billion. Will our politicians by union votes or watch out for the taxpayer?  Bill Dietz Stephenson County Tea Party. stepcoteaparty@aeroinc.net Lena IL.
 

June 7, 2011

MISGUIDED “WAR ON DRUGS” HAS COST TAXPAYERS $1 TRILLION

After 40 years, the United States' war on drugs has cost $1 trillion and hundreds of thousands of lives. Drug use is rampant and violence even more brutal and widespread, according to a Fox News report issued last year.

The waste of taxpayer dollars is staggering, and the cost of human lives is truly depressing. The Fox news report listed these drug war failures:

-          $20 billion to fight the drug gangs in their home countries. In Colombia, for example, the United States spent more than $6 billion, while coca cultivation increased and trafficking moved to Mexico — and the violence along with it.

-          $49 billion for law enforcement along America's borders to cut off the flow of illegal drugs. This year, 25 million Americans will use illicit drugs, about 10 million more than in 1970, with the bulk of those drugs imported from Mexico.

-          $450 billion to lock those people up in federal prisons alone. Last year, half of all federal prisoners in the U.S. were serving sentences for drug offenses.

The current presidents of the U.S. and Mexico still support a hard-line approach to drug use, but a recent report issued by the Global Commission on Drug Policy, which includes the past-presidents of Mexico, Brazil and Columbia, recommends that governments explore legalizing and regulating drugs, to block profits to drug cartels.

“It’s astounding that the U.S. Government is wasting precious taxpayer dollars on an ill-conceived drug war formulated decades ago,” said Jim Tobin, President of Taxpayers United of America (TUA). “The current administration requested $1.7 billion for useless drug-prevention programs, an 8% increase from 2011.”

“The so-called war on drugs has utterly failed,” said Tobin. “It’s time to adopt a more progressive policy that decriminalizes non-violent drug use.”

Taxpayers United of America
407 S. Dearborn Street, Suite 1170 * Chicago, Illinois 60605-1150

May 23, 2011

Sen. Durbin,
 
I too, have a dream, that the laws of our great nation will be obeyed, that those who do things correctly and lawfully will be rewarded; conversely those who take the short cut, budge in line, and disobey our laws will learn that such behavior not only is unprofitable for themselves but also for their posterity.  Too do otherwise, is to only encourage more of the same behavior that has gotten our nation to this point. 
 
This is America, we speak English, we honor immigrants that did it the right way, such are my ancestors!  I can trace my family back to the revolutionary war.  I do believe those who would honorably serve in our military should be granted citizenship.  But those who sneak in should be ushered out.
 
So you want the Dream Act – time to quit dreaming with the taxpayers money!   How about a dose of reality Senator!  We aren’t that dumb – we have figured you liberals out.   It is not that you care soooo much for people, you are simply  passing legislation to buy votes with OUR MONEY!  STOP IT!
 
Most Sincerely,
Deb Dietz

May 17, 2011

It’s been brought to my attention, I referred to Lynn Henning as a “dairy” farmer. She’s not a dairy farmer but is a life long family farmer of soybeans and corn. She’s an activist who took the lead by calling on her state and federal authorities to hold livestock factory farms accountable for their pollution. In 2010 she received the Goldman Environmental Prize for North America.
Her mother in-law and father in-law live within 1000 feet of a factory farm and both have been diagnosed with hydrogen sulfide poisoning. Reaching out to neighbors, fellow farmers and EPA enforcement officials she gathered much information, regularly driving a 125 mile circuit several times a week taking water samples. As a result the Department of Water Quality levied hundreds of citations to CAFO’s.
Because of her activism, Henning and her family have been subjected to harassment and intimidation. Her mail box has been blown up, dead animals left on her front porch and she has been followed and run off the road while doing water quality monitoring. None of this has stopped her from doing what is right.
If you are on the fence or think CAFO’s are good for Illinois, please read more about Lynn Henning and the damages of industrial farming in her state of Michigan. People and tourists come to Jo Daviess to see a part of the country that is still treated with respect, not agritourism buses looking at cows through glass.
Victoria Grizzoffi

May,7 2011
The League of Women Voters prides itself on being a fair nonpartisan group. So exactly why IS the JoDaviess county League taking on mega dairy issues?

  If you are going to have Warren Goetsch from the Illinois Department of Agriculture as a guest speaker, who knew the topography at Bos’ site and permitted it, one would think that another geologist would be called in for balance. If you are going to have John Oncken from Wisconsin, a CAFO dairy advocate and writer of such, why not have Pete Hardin of the Milk Weed or Lynn Henning, a life long dairy farmer from Michigan there to give balance? Why isn’t one of our very own Jo Daviess Organic Valley milk producers involved? Marcia Willhite is from the Chief Bureau of Water Illinois EPA. Why not include Rick Dove or Art Norris from the River Keepers? John Ikerd, Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics. is a perfect match to balance Jim Endress, an extension educator.
 
  I’m cautious as to the rationale of their specific hand picked guest speakers. Is this a re-packaged, re-wrapped, with a  “New and Improved Industrial Farming” label event? Is it just another way of a political channel being used and manipulated to proceed and expand industrial farming in Northwest Illinois? Are these speakers just here to tell us, “This is the permitting process, trust us, don’t worry, we know what we are doing”? I’m sure you do.  Also, exactly who is this attorney that will be editing comments?
Vicky Grizzoffi
Galena, Illinois

The new movie, Atlas Shrugged, depicts what is going on in America. Punish hard work/ entrepreneurs. Redistribute wealth, tax success, and give it to poorly managed business, grow government, more regulations, dollars to politicians campaign coffers for a more European type of socialized government. After viewing the movie we turned on the news to hear the Obama administration was trying to stop Boeing from moving to South Carolina, a right to work state. Wow! Those actions fit right into the message of Atlas Shrugged. Other news this past week, 1- County chairman John Blum has been publishing informative letters about our tax structure. This week, 15% of the county’s total property tax levy goes towards pensions, which are mandated. Rather than cut the budget to match revenue intake, the tax rate goes up to match the pensions.  2- Representative Jim Sacia's letter informed us that IL. prison guards will receive pay raises totaling $54 million from “COLLECTIVE BARGAINING” - the infamous term from the teachers union protest in Madison WI. 3- Northwest IL Development Alliance (NIDA) has a “vision” to throw another $100,000 towards the big flop Mill Race Crossing. This excitement by some of our leaders was prompted by a cheerleading session from the Executive Director of Development from Dubuque, IA. Of course Iowa and all of Illinois' surrounding states are optimistic since our State government raised our personal tax and the corporate tax. NIDA has not had any success getting business to come to Mill Race in spite of the several hundred thousand dollars we taxpayers have given them.  We can't sell Mill Race or get any rent as farm ground, because all of the topsoil has disappeared and nobody knows where it went. So I have a “vision”. Take our tax dollars we give to NIDA and concentrate on paying the $6 million we owe on this industrial park. When we fire the politicians that made IL a state that is unfriendly to business, Mill Race will be there and hopefully our county will not have filed bankruptcy. We have great realtors that have been very successful in the past in getting business to come, and they get no pay until they have success. We have county web sites, and a million dollar information booth on the east edge of town. Together we can get this done.  Bill Dietz Stephenson County Tea Party. Lena IL. stepcoteaparty@aeroinc.net

Illinois legislators face two paths regarding independent voters

     Two bills before the Illinois legislature offer a stark contrast for reform. One would open up the ballot to more competition, while the other would restrict the right to run for office, for people who vote in a party primary.

HB 2009 is a bill which would make it illegal to run for office as an independent candidate, if a person votes in a party primary. Many independents choose to vote in Illinois' open primary system, a system which has benefited political parties, since independents who vote in a primary are more likely to vote for that party in the general election. HB 2009 would take away their right to run for office as independents.

HB 2854 is a bill that would make it easier to run for office as an independent, especially for lower income candidates who cannot afford litigation. The bill would give candidates two choices for getting on the ballot: either the current system of gathering a very large number of signatures on a petition, often followed by extensive litigation; or a filing fee.

     Illinois is one of the most difficult states in the nation for independent candidates. For instance, independents need to collect 25,000 signatures to get on the ballot for Governor, while Democrats and Republicans need only 5,000. If independents manage to do this, extensive challenges and litigation follow, based on obscure rules which are often selectively enforced.

     As well as helping those not experienced with "working the system," HB 2854 would help lower income candidates, as the cost of litigation is almost always higher than the proposed filing fee. The State must also pay employees for petition review and judicial proceedings, whereas filing fees would generate revenue instead.

"HB 2854 is a win-win for everyone except party bosses," said Christina Tobin, Chair of The Free & Equal Elections Foundation, which recently wrote a letter supporting the bill. "HB 2009 would take away voting rights. Legislators face clear choices, and the people of Illinois are watching."

*Free & Equal is a nonpartisan, non-profit public-policy advocacy organization dedicated to election reform and improving ballot access laws in the United States.

ANDREW SCHROEDER, #6969. Illinois State Police.

SCOTT ELLEFSON, #9710, Green County, Wisconsin, Sheriff’s Dept.

JUDGE JAMES HAUSER, Stephenson County, Illinois

IN RE: ACTS OF DEVIANT SEXUAL PERVERSION BY ILLINOIS STATE POLICE IN THE PRESENCE OF A CHILD

　 April 28, 2011
Pat Quinn, Govenor, State of Illinois
Lisa Madigan, Illinois State Attorney General
February 16, 2011
Mr. Pat Quinn, Mrs, Lisa Madigan:
This matter is an ongoing case (2007-cm-951), now in excess of 42 months. There are numerous petitions and motions before the court attacking the validity of the dirty search warrant. The pathological lies and deviant acts of sexual perversion in the presence of a child by S.L.A.N.T. (State Line Area Narcotics Team).
Stephenson County. States Attorney John Vogt seems to think sitting on the case and ignoring everything filed before the court will make it go away. It is not going away. Documents filed and stamped by the clerk but not posted to JUDICI over 8 months ago. Documents stamped filed and whited out then re-stamped to a date to reflect a missed court date by the accused.
It is my understanding the Office of Lisa Madigan is functioning with the interests of children first and foremost. However it would seem that when it comes to one of the States own. This Office is protecting and condoning the deviant acts of these individuals simply because they happen to sit on the bench, or wear a badge, carry a gun and work for the State of Illinois.
I have attempted, several times to contact this office via. Donna Wherhime only to be completely ignored and blown off. I am demanding something to be done about this matter. The issuance of the dirty search warrant and the lies to obtain it. As far as the child is concerned that matter is set fourth below. The altering of stamped filed documents all because they are trying to coddle a pervert and the acts of a mindless judge.
I have made multiple/numerous court appearances to Freeport, from my home in Missouri (a distance of some 350 miles). This search warrant is totally dirty as a result of extreme conflict of interest. I do not feel there is any compelling reason for my further appearance or the incurred expense to deal with the petty nonsense of this court and its officers. What is it going to take to get attention and action here? I am getting really tired of putting up with this bullheaded stupidity. I make no reservations when I say these ignorant bastards screwed up my child’s life.

August 15, 2007 (Case # 2007-CM-951) An illegal drug raid was conducted at by, S.L.A.N.T. State Line Area Narcotics Team. Illinois State Police, Andrew Schroeder #6969. Scott Ellefson #9710. Meiborg #3121. Lehman #3296. Gately #9779. Jerry #9837. Madigan #9699. Via a dirty search warrant, issued by Stephenson County Judge, James Hauser. Signed by him in extreme conflict of interest, both as Judge and as Witness. A misleading and fraudulent information affidavit submitted by, the pathological lies of Andrew Schroeder and Scott Ellefson. During the course of the raid. In addition to acts of armed domestic terrorism. There were numerous acts of cheap vandalism committed against the property. My then 9 year old daughter, while sleeping in her bedroom, had the misfortune; of a cop, dressed in black. Shine’s a flashlight into her eyes at close range and with a pistol pointed at her face. Screamed at her shocking her out of a sound sleep!
This inconsiderate act of unconscionable conduct has had a damaging and profound life long psychological impact upon my child.. In addition to the act of armed domestic terrorism committed against her . A disgusting revolting act of deviant and lascivious sexual misconduct committed against her, by these law enforcement officials, acting under color of Sate Law.
For nearly 8 months following the terrifying experience of the lights and guns to this sleeping child. She kept suppressed one very disgusting and sickening secret. During the course of this raid. She was allowed to use the toilet. After going to a lower level of our home to the toilet, She observed in her bedroom. One of the police, standing over her dirty laundry basket with a pair of her soiled panties in his hand, up to his face smelling them. When he saw her he immediately threw them down. Being freaked out, She ran back to the main floor.
The thoughtless acts of Judge, James Hauser, Andrew Schroeder, Scott Ellefson, Meiborg, Lehman, Gately, Jerry and Madigan. This child has been scared and traumatized for life! To a nine year old child. There was no where on earth she felt more secure and safe, than to be asleep in her own bed and in her own home. Only to have that sense, of family and home security, shattered by a perverse and hateful act of terrorism. It is not only cowardly, but unconscionable. As if that were not enough. Top it off with a disgusting perverse act of deviant and vulgar sexual misconduct in the presence of this child!
Although there was a 60w light kept on nightly for the child’s benefit. There was ample lighting for any rational person to see, this was the room of a sleeping child. In the face of this clear evidence. With flashlights trained into the sleeping child’s eyes. These people then trained guns at the child’s head.. Screaming incomprehensibly. Yelling at her. Guns trained to her head, shocked her out of a sound sleep! I could clearly see to her bedroom, and hear, as she screamed out in fright while these black clad thugs are aiming flashlights and guns into her sleeping face! This selfish and inconsiderate act has inflicted severe and extreme psychological trauma upon my daughter. Damage she is going to live with for the rest of her life. The result of a sexually perverse, cowardly and senseless act. Real law enforcement personnel do not shove guns into sleeping baby’s faces! Cowards do.
　 The nights following this event upwards of about 27 - 28 months until late 2009. She slept right next to me. To terrified to even sleep in her own bed. All night she would toss and turn and thrash about. Sometimes violently. Often screaming and striking me with her fists in her sleep. Things She never did prior to the vicious and perverse attack upon her home and family. Since She has revealed this perverse act concerning her panties. She has some very intense and lasting memories of this being done to her. At times she laughs. Then she cries. Then she gets angered over it, says she doesn’t want to talk about it. The psychological trauma these S.L.A.N.T. people and this Judge did to my daughter. First with the guns in her face; the threatening and menacing armed conduct to her parents and ultimately, one of them having been observed by her, with his face in the crotch of a pair of her soiled panties, sniffing her female discharge. This perverse act has caused her to undergo a serious and life long psychological trauma.
Given this child’s immature and unstable condition as created by the 2007 raid. Her adamant refusal to stay at her home. I was left with no choice but forced to move her out of our home at, Freeport, Illinois. I then made the decision to move, with her to Unionville, Missouri near her oldest sister. That she may help me deal with the issues she was having as a result of this senseless and perverse attack.
She is undergoing psychological counseling ,with, Therapist‘s, in, Missouri. Some of the lasting effects created by these acts. Numerous out bursts. Fits of screaming rage, beginning in the latter part of 07’, thru, to the present. Raging fits, often lasting 2 to 3 hours. Often several in a day. Commonly, 6 or 7 days out of the week.
April 1,10. Child had her first hospitalization, at, Lakeland Regional Hospital, Children’s Psychiatric Unit, Springfield, Missouri. Admitted, April 1, 10, thru April 21, 10, First admission, 21 days. Upon release, Shawna was prescribed strong doses of psychiatric and anti depressant medications. April 26,10, thru May,4,10. Second admission, 13 days and upon release, again prescribed strong doses of psychiatric and anti-depressant medications. Third admission, 28 days, September 28, 10 thru October 26, 10 again prescribed powerful psychiatric and anti-depressant medications. Fourth admission, (Three days after her last release) Child was taken away in an Ambulance due to attempted suicide and was hospitalized 24 days, October 31, 10, thru November 23, 10. The psychological issues. The repeated counseling sessions. Repeated hospitalizations. The psychological evaluations. The rages and uncontrollable out bursts, The aggression . The aversion to underwear and feminine cleanliness. The suicidal tendencies and her statements concerning suicide. All brought on by the acts of frightening terrorism, armed violence. Deviant and lascivious sexual perversion in the child’s presence, by members of the law enforcement community of Illinois State Police, Andrew Schroeder,#6969, and a Judge of our courts, James Hauser, Stephenson County, Illinois. Child has been hospitalized a total of 86 days in four hospitalization commitments as the result of these pathological lying, perverted scum bags.. She will be taking psychiatric and anti depressant medications, undergoing counseling and experiencing psychological issues with hospitalization the rest of her life.
June 11, 10. I applied for and received copy’s of her medical records, psychological reports and psychological evaluation,. while under the care of Physician Brown, M.D and Psychologist, Forsyth, Psy. D. at Lakeland Regional Hospital, Springfield, Missouri. Referral & Background Information it is conferment in child’s discussions with Lakeland Medical personnel (page 1. Psychological Evaluation, an excerpt)
Police searched the patient’s family home when the
Patient was 9 years old looking for marijuana. During the police search. The Patient was permitted to go to the bathroom and the patient found one of the police officers with one of her soiled underwear up to his face smelling them.”
When my daughter first told me this. I was dumbfounded! I was speechless! I could not believe what I was hearing! Upon my next court appearance on the related charge of possession of paraphernalia. I brought this to the attention of the court of Judge James Hauser. The words no more than cleared my mouth and the Hauser court and Jude Hauser himself immediately turned un me! It was at this time I began looking deeply into the documentation and conduct of all the law enforcement personnel and court personnel involved.
Judge Hauser dirtied the search warrant when he Signed as witness to the affidavit’s of Andrew Schroeder and Scott Ellefson, Then signed as the Judge, issuing the warrant, in extreme conflict of interest, rendering Andrew Schroeder and Scott Ellefson’s search warrant dirty and defective. Closer examination of the affidavit, Andrew Schroeder, #6969 submitted, knowingly fraudulent information accusing I had two previous marijuana convictions. This is a blatant pathological lie. I have never had a marijuana conviction anywhere, at any time ever! Additionally contained in the affidavit, the perpetrator was a “White Female”. I informed the court I did not carry a silver coin purse which was seized in the raid.. I am not a female and I do not have a vagina. Judge Hauser continued at me in spite of this. Andrew Schroeder and Scott Ellefson upon filing their return further denied and attempted to conceal the fact a child was even present in the home during the raid! Judge Hauser being completely aware this fact was untrue, permitted Andrew Schroeder to file the information. Using the bench repeatedly as support/alibi to the false claim’s of Andrew Schroeder’s pathological lies. James Hauser was fully aware there was a child present in the home when on September 10, 2007 a complaint was filed with the Judicial Inquiry Board, State of Illinois, against Judge James Hauser charging him with judicial incompetence and abuse of judicial authority concerning the armed and potentially deadly situation he place my child in when he authorized the attack on our home by Andrew Schroeder and his S.L.A.N.T. team. This complaint against Hauser will be re-filed as it does not appear in the records of the Judicial Commission. A lot of convenience here!
Judge James Hauser further used the bench to protect Andrew Schroeder. To stifle the defense. September 4, 07. I was granted status as a pauper and ordered to proceed with out cost by Judge James Hauser . September 14, 07. Entitled to subpoena witnesses in my behalf in a criminal prosecution without cost. November 6, 2008, without authority, cause or reason Judge James Hauser denied me any further compulsory process. Judge James Hauser cited for his reason, “My being administrator to my mothers estate as being the financial reason that I am able to afford the cost of obtaining witnesses at my own expense. Using the court to conceal and cover up any loose ends for Andrew Schroeder. Fact is just days prior it was Judge James Hauser himself who probated the estate documents for me. Knowing fully well through the documentation. I received nothing from this estate, in fact filing a disclaimer to any of the estate proceeds. Judge James Hauser has consistently and repeatedly prostituted his judicial authority in a feeble attempts to conceal and protect Andrew Schroeder, Scott Ellefson and their terrorist gang and the deviant sexual conduct committed against my daughter.
June 25, 10 An Application for Rule to Show Cause was filed in Stephenson County Court against Judge James Hauser for issuing a search warrant in conflict of interest.
On November 6,08 an Application for Rule to Show Cause was filled in Stephenson County Court, charging Andrew Schroeder with knowingly and intentionally filing with the court documents he knew were false and misleading. Accusing me of having two previous marijuana convictions, knowing this information to be false.
On June 25, 10 a second Application for Rule to Show Cause was filed in Stephenson County court, charging Andrew Schroeder with filing false documentation to the court denying and attempting to cover the fact the child was even present in the home during the raid.
Andrew Schroeder #6969, has repeatedly proven himself to be nothing more than a sexually deviant, pathological liar, whom is permitted to wear a badge and carry a gun.
Judge James Hauser’s conduct as a judge spits in the face of the rule of law. Being a disgrace to the legal profession, he is unfit to serve in any public service
Society needs to take these kind of people down from the black robes and badges they are hiding behind!
It matters not what was in the home. It is the acts of deviant perversion that is at issue. It is the pathological lies of Officer Andrew Schroeder 36969 and Scott Ellefson #9710 (Wisc) in order to gain entry. It is the irresponsible and selfcentered conduct of Judge James Hauser. These dirt bags netted a few seeds a glass pipe and less than an oz of pot. This does not give them the right to commit these disgusting acts. Investigation by Internal Affairs has danced around the matter with every sorry excuse imaginable.
This S.L.A.N.T. group amount to nothing more than violent armed home invaders , terrorists, pack rapists , and child molesters, they like their prey to be easy. Nothing more than a pack of cowards.
It is time for Stephenson County, Freeport, Illinois to deal with this. I believe it is within the powers of this office make it happen
N.Bill Smeathers

Deb and I just got  back from Madison. ( See photo ) We arrived just as Sara Palin got up to speak.  Like last time the union people from all over the country out numbered the Tea Party people. As the vulgarity spewed from the mouths of a few of the union folks, I thought to  myself , why are they here for our Tea Party Rally. If they had one of their hero’s like Jessie Jackson there, would I disrupt there party. I think not.    The horns blew, the drums pounded, and many finger gestures were waved, but that did not silence Sara Palin. The citizens spoke clearly for Governor Walker and they spoke clearly again April 5th. for conservative Judge Prosser.  We are broke! Pay a little bit more of your own pensions now and it will be there later. We had Tax Protest day in front of the Stephenson County Court House yesterday. Many of our friends from Rockford went to Springfield the same time. Maybe we can slow down a little now? God Bless all who took time off work and out of their day to try to stop the runaway train toward Socialism.

Bill Dietz

Dear Editor: 

    This week is National Volunteer Week across America. On behalf of your local American Red Cross volunteers and staff, I’d like to publicly thank the six dozen regular volunteers who make our office hum each and every day.  This week, we celebrate you. 

     The American Red Cross is a volunteer-led organization that depends on the generosity of the American public for donations of both time and money. While coordinating our 2011-2012 list of volunteers, board members and staff for a prospective board member this past week, I decided to list ALL our office volunteers on the master Excel sheet rather than just our staff and volunteers who spend 20 or more hours each week at our Chapter.  

     I was amazed when I was finally done. Our chapter regularly utilizes 17 volunteers each of whom perform some task they own inside or outside our building. We have someone who cleans our manikins, someone who runs our inventory, several who do data entry, some who help us with our accounts payables and receivables, and even one volunteer who tirelessly comes in just to help us write thank you cards.  That’s the short list. On top of that, we have 35 active members standing by on our Disaster Action Team, several others we deploy only nationally, and more than 15 instructors, all of whom avail their time to us on an as-needed basis. Then there are our exterior contract-based Red Cross providers of Health and Safety First Aid/CPR instruction, which numbers at about 50.  Friday, April 15,  our Chapter will host its annual Volunteer Recognition Brunch where we will hand out more than 20 awards and service pins to our 40-some Chapter volunteers in attendance. Your work makes all the difference.  For those job-hunting, I can’t emphasize enough the value of volunteering during this economic downturn, particularly if you are looking for a position in the business world.  If so, the American Red Cross may be just the right start for you. 

     Once again thank you to all of our volunteers and to everyone who donates their time and effort, whether it is to the Red Cross or to another organization. The world can always use more of you!

Sincerely, Diana

Diana Roemer | Executive Director
American Red Cross | Northwest Illinois Chapter
224 W. Galena Avenue
Freeport, Illinois 61032
office: (815) 233-0011
fax:     (815) 233-0019

Letter to the Editor from Bill Dietz April 8, 2011:

A few are angry that I have condemned our legislators for passing laws favoring collective bargaining that have made government pensions so high. Much higher than that of the private sector that pays all the taxes. God bless our schoolteachers, firemen, and policemen. We need them, but through collective bargaining the government/union pendulum has swung too far left. NTUI claims there are 3,194 IL. government retirees pensions over $100,000. Now there are twice as many workers for the government as there is for all of manufacturing. Just the opposite ratio of 1960 when the economy was booming. (April 1, Wall Street Journal)

A few are also mad that I want to see more transparency in our governing bodies. They ask, how can I say these things and get farm subsidies. I have talked to my congressman and representatives going back to Ron Lawfer on cutting farm subsidies. I spoke publicly in front of several hundred people as recently as the Kirk/Manzullo town hall meeting at Highland College, March 23. Quote: “We are so in debt. According to the National Debt Clock, when you figure in the unfunded liabilities, every taxpayer owes $1million. The only way out of this is to cut spending, especially government pensions on the upper end. We need you to set an example. Also, I get farm subsidies. Cut that!” Don Manzullo did not comment. Freshman Senator Mark Kirk said he proposed a 15% cut across the board. Yea!  Jim Sacia's editorial two weeks ago said he would fight to protect government pensions. Even though I agree with these gentlemen much of the time, it makes me wonder about term limits.

Do you see how government, over the years, is trying to make everyone dependent on them in one way or another? It does not make sense to give out grants or subsidies that take 40 to 80 cents on the dollar to administrate. I will happily give up my farm subsidies if I do not have to pay taxes to support or compete with those who receive farm subsidies.  Bureaucracy starves national growth.

Capitalism made this country great. Get off our backs and let us work! Who on our governing boards will stand with me to this end? Tax Day! April 15th. In front of Stephenson Ct. Court House, 11:45 to 12:45. stepcoteaparty@aeroinc.net 

 Bill Dietz Lena IL.

ITEF Pension Rant Reaches Perry County
TRF, IMRF Findings Detailed in Latest Report
Featured Business »

By Anonymous

Du Quoin Evening Call

Posted Apr 04, 2011 @ 10:05 AM

Perry County —

A new report by the Illinois Taxpayers Education Foundation reveals that many Perry County retired government employees receive pensions that exceed average annual wages of workers in the private sector.

It is part of the ITEF scrutiny that began last year with surveys of pensions in Cook County including pensions in excess of $250,000 for retired school administrators and police and fire commissioners.

“These outrageous government-employee pensions are bankrupting the state,” said Jim Tobin, President of National Taxpayers United of Illinois (NTUI). “Gov. Patrick Quinn (D) just raised the state personal income tax 67%, all $6.8 billion taxpayer dollars of which is being used to fund the state's appalling pensions, said Tobin, head of the conservative think tank.

“Those receiving the largest annual pensions are retired government-school educators,” said Tobin. The largest annual TRS pension goes to George Edwards, formerly of Pinckneyville Grade School District  50, whose annual pension is $86,487 -- $7,207 a month and Sandra Jerrells, formerly of Pinckneyville Community High School 101, who receives a monthly pension of $6,219, making her annual pension $74,624.”

Retired building principals across the county are earning between $60,000 and $70,000 a month in retirement.

Some longtime tenured retired teaching personnel are receiving between $65,638 and $51,919 a year based on  teaching salaries of between $87,517 and $43,757 in their last four years of service.

The report goes onto say that some Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund retired employees are receiving between $49,484 and $32,841 based on salaries from their last 12 months of service of between $70,356 and $42,678.

 “But there is no need to raise the state income tax or cut government services. Three crucial reforms can save the system and spare Illinois taxpayers. First, new government hires should be put into social security and required to fund their own retirements with 401(k) plans.”

“Second, in Illinois, if each current state pension fund employee were required to contribute an additional 10% to his or her pension, taxpayers would save over $150 billion over the next 35 years. And finally, requiring Illinois public employees to pay for one-half of their health care premiums would save even more – an estimated $230 billion over current projections.”

Copyright 2011 Du Quoin Evening Call. Some rights reserved

Rebuttal

April 4, 2011

     This rebuttal is in reference to the uninformative slander completely derived from laziness to get informed on the issues presented and the immense amount of education available at different tea party meetings. Initial print from the other writer can be found at Lanark Prairie Advocate, March 30^th or Jr. Standard, I believe, April 1^st.

    I can only speak from one person’s point of view and I’ve found out from attending different tea party functions that not all people present are in agreement on every issue. My interest stems from the original tea party mission statement core values of a fiscally responsible, Constitutionally limited government with free markets.

   My hope in this short article is to educate or at least introduce some topics that will be of much interest to anyone willing to take the time to do further research. Fractional reserve banking and the central bank, known as the Federal Reserve, has been the demise of our country. Our Founding Fathers warned us against a central bank and we failed to listen. Established in 1913 and never being audited should raise some eyebrows. Along with the lie of only one great depression in our history books when there were two, the first depression being in the early twenties and the second known today as the great depression. Interestingly enough, intentionally orchestrated to implement more government power and remove power and influence from We the People.

  Most people are set in their ideals for or against unions, so debating the pro’s and con’s could be a book in itself. My experience from talking with a few labor union employee’s is they are not sympathetic to the teachers who get free health care, paid vacations, and only work 9 months a year. The main difference in understanding the different unions is public unions are not the same as labor unions. Labor union employee’s, albeit some not in favor of losing collective bargaining for their public counterparts, get stuck paying the bill twice. Meaning they have their own taxes to pay, union dues, and in many cases their own insurance only to have their taxes pay for public employees. Private sector labor unions can be good and many labor unions have kept their wages up for their workers. The downside is the “mega-rich” that is referred to by the original writer. This not only applies to the corporate run politicians that out influence the voters today but also public unions. A vicious cycle births itself as soon as campaign contributions are given to a politician which in turn passes legislation and hands out sweetheart deals to their contributors. Campaign contributions were correctly labeled as bribes until the early 1900’s era and legislation was passed changing bribes into something legal. The financial elites fund both sides of the false left , right paradigm in our republic where as the public unions favor the suppressive Marxists agenda of the left. If public unions were so great, why does a teacher have to be forced to join the union or lose their job?

  Just as I find it amusing that all which claimed in different debates and blogs to have read the health care bill, missing during their read, the 105 billion in wasteful pork, infringement on homeschooling, and the Marxist insurgency agenda of taking over another sector of our economy, even after the initial nationalizing of major sectors of the economy with the 700 billion bail-outs, I also find it amusing that a retired teacher from Lanark claims to have a clue about the beliefs of 20+ million people from a few biased newspaper articles. What a joke.

  I’m grateful for the time of so many volunteering to speak at the tea parties such as watchdog groups Illinois Policy Institute, National Taxpayers United of Illinois along with our local tax assessor. Continuing education is the key and freedom is at stake.      Jason Bland

Letters to the Editor:  

     We had a dozen Stephenson County Tea Partiers at Madison, doing our Patriotic duty, trying to shrink government spending. Thousands of tea partiers were there and even more government union workers circled the square beating drums and chanting as we gathered. I shook hands with Joe the Plumber and Madison conservative talk show host Vicky McKenna. Andrew Breitbart spoke also. Not only is the whole country watching this event unfold, but much of the world is, as they are having big government union problems also. Although we had a few heated debates with a couple of union guys it was never close to blows. There were hundreds of signs. One young fella was missing an arm but had a sign that read "Sometimes it is necessary to make cuts". Another read "Big Pensions, Free health care and retire at 55? How can I get in on this suffering?" 

     As I said in my previous editorial, one thing is for certain, if things keep going the way they are the unions will be marching in the streets like in Greece. I did not think it would be this soon. At least it is not yet violent. Gov. John Kasich in Ohio is proposing similar cuts. So are the Democratic governors of CA. and New York. What will the unions do when democratic governors turn on them? What part of broke don't they understand. Is it too much to ask them to pay 5.8% of the health care and 13% of their pension. Right now for every dollar they put into their pension the taxpayer puts in $57 says Mike Huckabee. Walkers' plan only eliminates collective bargaining on benefits, not wages. By ending this part of collective bargaining they will have the right to bow out of the forced $500 to $1000 union dues which funds mostly the liberal Democrats coffers. If they negotiate, no one will be laid off. Otherwise up to 6000 state and 6000 local government layoffs. Please pray for our great country that we can get through this peaceably. Bill Dietz stepcoteaparty@aeroinc.net Lena IL.

Feb 20, 2011

SHAWANO COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES THRIVE AS

PRIVATE SECTOR STRUGGLES

By Jim Tobin

            A study by Shawano County Taxpayers of public school salaries and benefits in Shawano County, Wisconsin, reveals that Shawano County has a 11.5% unemployment rate with an average full time wage of $28,142 per year, but that in Shawano School District, every public school teacher makes more than the average Shawano county worker, and the ‘Top 20’ teachers make more than twice as much.

            Shawano County needs to have public school teacher and administrator salaries reflect wages local taxpayers earn. How can the average worker making $28,000 afford the property, income, sales and utility taxes needed to support high teacher salaries and outrageous pensions? Public salaries, pensions and benefits need to be brought back to earth. There is a huge disconnect between public employees’ compensation and the everyday private sector worker who pays the taxes to enrich these government employees.

            The average salary of the Top 20 salaries is over $7,200/mo. in a county where the average worker makes $2,350/mo. -- assuming he or she has a job at all. And on top of that, the Top 20’s Fringe Benefit cost at $2,600/mo is more than the total wages of the typical full time Shawano County worker, and brings the Top 20’s average compensation to over $107,000/yr. So to taxpayers in Shawano County, I say: this is why our property taxes keep going up.

            Shawano County public schools exist of the teachers, by the teachers and for the teachers. While Shawano County taxpayers struggle to make ends meet, teachers work in a privileged environment of high-paying, guaranteed jobs, 3 months a year off, short work-days, and early retirement, all at a extremely high cost to the hardworking taxpayers of Shawano County. Public school teachers and all public employees need to live and work in the same employment environment as the taxpayer. No guarantees, no short work years, no short workdays and retirement at 65 just like the rest of us. The days of special deals for teachers must end.

Please call (715) 526-2638 or email tobin@ntui.org if you would like to help us oppose the next property tax increase referendum. Please provide your name, address, phone and email address.

Because of Wisconsin’s weak Freedom of Information Act, I was unable to get public employee pension information. Wisconsin needs a strong Freedom of Information Act.

Feb. 7, 2011:

     Dear Editor: The November 2nd. elections seem like old news. Already the media is talking about the elections for 2012. The April 5th election is only two months away and seems unimportant to so many when in fact it will determine if our local schools, college, towns, etc, can survive with all the state and federal aid cuts. I have said for years that we should put money away for a rainy day when times are good. That is a concept that was well learned by many during the great depression, and our governing bodies enforced it well. As time passed, so did the conservative mindset - tax and spend ! Wages & benefits of taxpayer funded jobs grew far beyond the private sector. Supply and demand no longer set the playing field for government jobs as it did in the private sector.
     As I write this editorial, I just got news that a true Tea Party Patriot passed away. George Kinney was a Stephenson County board member that possessed all the Tea Party qualities. Smaller government, less taxes, less spending, transparency, and not afraid to swim upstream. He held townhall meetings, and wrote editorials to keep the public informed on questionable happenings.  

     These are exactly the qualities the Stephenson County Tea Party is looking for in candidates for the April 5th. Election. If you believe in these conservative values, and would like to help get our government back to where our founders meant for it to be, then come to our next Stephenson County Tea Party  meeting. You can come from any county. We have had people from as many as five different counties at one meeting. We meet the second Thursday of each month Feb. 10th, 6:30 pm. At Dietz’s Old School apartments, 111 E. Mason St. Lena IL. E-mail stepcoteaparty@aeroinc.net Bill Dietz 815-369-4334

Feb. 7, 2011

Can You Hear Me Now?
     When I heard the State of the Union speech, I’m pretty sure I detected a lot of references to “investment,” which is code-speak for “spending”. While I heard the President’s speech clearly, it seems he did not hear the American people. So, we will say, once more, with feeling: “STOP SPENDING!”  I thought we spoke pretty clearly: spending "freezes" are totally unacceptable, and spending increases are "Dead On Arrival" in the House. How must we phrase it for President Obama to understand?

     My granddaughter was born owing $43,407, with time payments for an additional $355,969. (Old numbers, see http://usdebtclock.org/ for the current numbers) Our generation created this debt, and we WILL NOT pass it on. Can you hear us now?

     Although I liked the President's reference to salmon (I recently spent a day as a government-regulated salmon – another story!), Paul Ryan's speech was superior at actually addressing the nation's problems. It wasn't an eloquent speech, delivered from a drab committee room, and Congressman Ryan was discussing subjects some don’t want discussed, but his speech clearly illustrated his knowledge and grasp of complex issues, and his acute hearing. He heard us.

Mr. Ryan will do well as Chairman of the House Budget Committee, and we can anticipate two years of angry non-cooperation, as no one will be able to spend one thin dime without Ryan's input. Madison and the boys did good with that whole thing about spending originating in the House. Is it possible they heard us over 200 years before we spoke? Or could it be that, through the mists of time, we hear them now?

     "I, however, place economy among the first and most important republican virtues, and public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared." - Thomas Jefferson, 1816.

Terry Smith
Lanark

DEMOCRATS' LIES COST ILLINOISANS' TRUST

Illinois Democrats have been lying about taxes. Back in November, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) promised not to pass a tax increase without Republican support. Yet not a single Republican in either the House or Senate joined the 90 Democrats who passed Tuesday's income tax increase.

 Read more click here...

LAKE COUNTY--A new report by the Illinois Taxpayers Education Foundation reveals that many Lake County retired government employees receive lavish, gold-plated pensions that far exceed average annual wages of workers in the private sector.

Read more...

If You Raise Taxes, Get It Right
1/12/2011

$15 BILLION BONDS TO PAD OUTRAGEOUS PENSIONS OF ILLINOIS POLITICIANS

CHICAGO--A 67% increase in the state income tax, to be voted on in the lame-duck session of the Illinois General Assembly (HB 174), would be used in part for padding and ensuring the outrageously excessive pensions to be received by present members of the General Assembly, charged Jim Tobin, President of National Taxpayers United of Illinois (NTUI).

“The proposed state income tax increase is a sham,” said Tobin. “It will do nothing to help Illinois taxpayers. Rather, it will be used to funnel billions of taxpayer dollars into the state pension funds, when the real solution is to restructure the pension program that has already made pension millionaires of some former members of the General Assembly.”

“One-half of the 67% state income tax increase would be used to finance the $15 billion bond issue (plus interest) proposed by Gov. Patrick Quinn (D). All $15 billion from the bonds would be funneled into future pensions of present General Assembly members, and into the already lavish pensions being received by retired government employees.”

“The other half of the 67% state income tax increase would be used to fund salaries of bureaucrats, and parasites working for so-called non-profit organizations.”

“We will announce next week, the list of the Top 50 General Assembly Pensions as of 10/1/2010, showing that many former General Assembly members have already become pension millionaires, and many more are well on their way to joining that exclusive club. Quite a few familiar names appear on this list.”

“It is clear that the present General Assembly members are planning to enrich their future pensions at the expense of Illinois taxpayers. We will expose the retired General Assembly pension millionaires. We also will put present General Assembly members on notice that they will be held accountable by voters if they pass any state income tax increase.”

"HB 174 will also create a new, 7% to 10% sales tax on 39 services."
 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Founded in 1976, NTUI is the largest taxpayer organization in Illinois with
30,000 members and supporters and affiliation with more than 250 local taxpayer groups.

America’s Fruitcake Budget
1/2011

In the coming year, we’re likely to hear a lot about the federal budget and spending cuts. We’ll hear a lot about waste, as well as some myths about where our money actually goes. I’d suggest we figure out exactly where we are. If you have a fruitcake handy, slice it into 34 slices, with each slice representing $100 billion;
8 slices represent Medicare
7, Social Security
7, Defense
5, Welfare
2, Interest on debt
2, Federal pensions
3, all other spending

To balance the federal budget, we’re only allowed to eat 21 slices, so we have to throw out 13 slices.

Some folks will blame the deficit on defense spending, so, for the sake of argument, throw out those 7 slices. 7 down, 6 to go… Others will blame earmarks, but they’re actually a small portion of a single slice, although they are symptomatic of a different problem. Many will suggest raising taxes, ignoring the history of increased government revenue following tax cuts.

I think it’s pretty clear we’ll need to have a serious discussion in the coming weeks, a discussion in which class warfare and inflamed rhetoric will be counter-productive. No one wants to throw out 13 slices of fruitcake, but it’s long past time we quit re-gifting them to our children.

Terry Smith
Lanark

Letter to the Editor from Bill Dietz Dec. 29, 2010

Dear Editor: You cannot put a bandage on a major cancer and expect the patient to survive. Uncle Sam has a cancer, and he will not survive much longer if the elected politicians continue to use taxpayer dollars to buy votes and campaign contributions from government unions. Why should Police, Firemen, and Teachers get higher pay, benefits, and pensions than the private sector that pay their way. We have good people in most of these positions. I am just saying they should make the same as the people in private business that do comparable work. A few facts from NTUI (National Taxpayer Untied of Illinois). Top one hundred IL. Teachers and Administrators Pensions range from $402,000 to $186,000. There are 4,352 IL. government pensions over $100,000.  98% of the Stephenson county school employees make more than the average worker. The top 100 State Police salary's range from $189,000 to $130,800.
The IL. deficit for 2011 is projected at 14 to 15 billion dollars, and the debt at $160 billion with the unfunded liabilities. $80 billion pension debt, but $130 billion of the $160 billion debt is pension related. That is $25,000 per IL. household! The pension proposal to fix this mess does nothing for the existing debt and it will still grow but not as fast as it has it the past.  68.2% of the Freeport property tax goes towards pensions. Firemen 30.8% and Policemen 29.8% with 7.6% going to all the others. (Dec. 5 Jr. Standard/Mayor Gaulrapp)

    Nation wide since 2008,  8 million private sector jobs lost. (That pay all the taxes.) While local, state, and federal jobs (That take all the taxes.) grew by 590,000! Federal employees average $123,000 in pay and benefits, twice that of the private sector, with job security second to none. Government unions gave politicians $91 million in the midterm elections alone! (Dec. 13th. Tim Pawlenty opinion / Wall Street Jr.)

    Bottom line- Simple math will tell you we cannot keep this up. Illinois recently won the distinct honor of leading the nation as the worst state financially. Yes, we have now passed California.

    The private sector works on the law of supply and demand. Government unions do not. We always hear the cry, " We will now have to cut off service" since you greedy taxpayers will not allow another tax increase. Don't lay off employees or cut service. Cut pay and pensions on the upper end. Don't pay teachers to take early retirement. Don't make the taxpayers pay them to get another degree the last few years so they get a larger retirement. Continue to pay them a good wage, but make them take care of their own healthcare and 401Ks. There will still be plenty of well-qualified applicants applying for these jobs. I believe if 10% of the government union jobs are not looking for work in the private sector then we are paying them too much. Nothing is certain in this world but one thing, and that is if we continue down this road we will see government unions rioting in the street like in Greece.

Bill Dietz, Stephenson County Tea Party stepcoteaparty@aeroinc.net  Lena IL. 815-369-4334  
In the beginning of change, the Patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated, and scorned.  When his cause succeeds however, the timid join him.  For then it costs nothing to be a patriot. - Mark Twain

Dec 1, 2010

And Now, Your Local Scores
11/2010

In girls VB;      Eastland 3,
In football;       Pretzels 10,
In basketball;  Highland 32,

     Only knowing one side of the score sucks. No sportscast would long survive with such a policy, and yet we blindly accept receiving one side of political stories.

In a recent example, Sarah Palin's endorsements sparked criticism from some, claiming her candidates hurt the Republican Party. I'll let the pundits argue about that, it's not the point of this missive. My point is this: Every news outlet revealed how many of her endorsed candidates lost in the recent election. Did your news source give you the whole score? Did they tell you how many of her endorsed candidates won?

     In more current news, many Democrats quote CBO data in saying the country can’t afford the $700 billion cost of extending the current tax rate for upper income earners. Did your news source cover anyone who referenced the same CBO data to point out the $3 trillion cost of extending the current rate for middle income earners? Does knowing the whole score change the nature of the argument? Is it about economics, or is it about wealth re-distribution and/or punishment for the perceived sin of simply earning too much money?

     It’s apparent many of our so-called “news” sources are convinced broadcasting 1/2 of the facts is fine with us. Getting 1/2 of a sports score would be an annoyance – getting 1/2 of news which affects our children’s future is a bit more serious.

"Not being known doesn't stop the truth from being true." - Richard Bach

Terry Smith
Lanark

Nov 5, 2010

     Earlier this year I attended a Village of Lena board meeting because I heard they were going to (or wanted to) purchase a snow wing. Being a conservative-minded person with 15 years experience in the snow removal industry, I am in a unique position to know how much fuel and how many man-hours can be saved with proper use of a snow removal wing. Since such a purchase would ultimately save the village money, I spoke out in support. I also volunteered myself to install the wing on the village truck, and I am happy to report that on October 30th, the install and test were done the same day.

     Now that I've made myself sound like a superhero, I will have you know Randy Raab did 95% of the installation and deserves the lion's share of the credit.

    My point is, it's easier to sit back and expect someone else to fix our problems, and complain when those problems aren't fixed. But sometimes we just need to extend a hand. When I extended mine, Randy added his, and a community benefited. Isn't that the way it's supposed to work?

Taryon Cornwell

Mechanical Designer

Monroe Truck Equipment

1051 W. 7th Street

Monroe Wisconsin 53566

Illinois – the 48th State
10/2010

     As reported by The Illinois Policy Institute, Illinois’ bond rating ranks 49th of all states, with the state owing $6B in current debt, and $83B in unfunded liabilities. For three decades, Illinois economic growth has lagged the rest of the U.S. According to the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), our economic outlook has been downgraded yet again, to 47th. How did our ship of state get itself in such a pickle?

     For starters, make all the residents poorer – we rank 38th in personal income growth. Next, reduce the number of taxpayers – we rank 48th in net population growth, having lost over 600,000 people in the last decade. How does a state accomplish this? Reduce job growth – we rank 48th in job growth. It’s no coincidence that the ALEC Economic Performance Rank has Illinois listed 48th.

     What’s wrong with Illinois? Is there something wrong with our water, our air, or our people? Answer: none of the above. If you look at the indicators used to derive the performance ranking, the items dragging the state down are all controlled by state government. Among the worst are: tort litigation & judicial impartiality, worker’s comp costs, and debt service costs. While Illinois ranks pretty well in major taxes (sales, income), the “remaining” tax burden (fees) is among the worst in the country. And don’t look for improvement any time soon – Recently legislated tax changes put us at 48th, and the Wall Street Journal reports Pat Quinn as having the 46th worst fiscal policy of all governors.

     There’s nothing wrong with this state which cannot be fixed by educated voters.

“The natural cure for an ill-administration, in a popular or representative constitution, is a change of men.” - Alexander Hamilton

Terry Smith
Lanark

October 17, 2010

At a public debate between State Representative Jim Sacia and State Representative challenger Victoria F. Grizzoffi. Mr. Sacia confronted me about a previous letter I wrote about him receiving Farm Entitlements. Mr. Sacia explained to me what the money was that he received and I would like to forward my apology to him. When I am wrong I will write that I am wrong, but I did some more homework and found this:

 Donations by Sector

2008
 

Uncoded
 $51,748
 
Unitemized Contributions
 $20,557
 
General Business
 $16,500
 
Construction
 $13,045
 
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate
 $12,515
 
Agriculture
 $8,270
 
Health
 $7,425
 
Energy & Natural Resources
 $6,850
 
Labor
 $6,050
 
Lawyers & Lobbyists
 $4,620
 
Communications & Electronics
 $4,000
 
Transportation
 $3,175
 
Non-Contributions
 $2,912
 
Candidate Contributions
 $1,623
 
Party
 $1,100
 
Government Agencies/Education/Other
 $250
 
Total:
 $160,640
 

2006

Uncoded
 $34,384
 
Unitemized Contributions
 $20,256
 
Construction
 $16,205
 
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate
 $11,500
 
General Business
 $10,485
 
Health
 $6,050
 
Communications & Electronics
 $5,500
 
Labor
 $4,850
 
Energy & Natural Resources
 $4,475
 
Lawyers & Lobbyists
 $3,550
 
Non-Contributions
 $2,929
 
Transportation
 $2,280
 
Agriculture
 $2,110
 
Government Agencies/Education/Other
 $1,610
 
Party
 $1,100
 
Candidate Contributions
 $955
 
Total:
 $128,239
 

2004

Unitemized Contributions
 $26,910
 
Uncoded
 $23,937
 
General Business
 $9,525
 
Construction
 $7,650
 
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate
 $6,270
 
Health
 $4,700
 
Non-Contributions
 $3,643
 
Energy & Natural Resources
 $3,150
 
Labor
 $2,500
 
Communications & Electronics
 $2,250
 
Transportation
 $1,750
 
Lawyers & Lobbyists
 $1,725
 
Agriculture
 $950
 
Candidate Contributions
 $850
 
Party
 $500
 
Government Agencies/Education/Other
 $450
 
Total:
 $96,760
 

2002

Party
 $97,018
 
Candidate Contributions
 $96,025
 
Uncoded
 $23,718
 
Unitemized Contributions
 $22,018
 
General Business
 $14,780
 
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate
 $7,780
 
Agriculture
 $7,710
 
Health
 $7,030
 
Construction
 $3,650
 
Government Agencies/Education/Other
 $2,750
 
Lawyers & Lobbyists
 $2,350
 
Energy & Natural Resources
 $1,800
 
Transportation
 $700
 
Communications & Electronics
 $450
 
Non-Contributions
 $141
 
Total:
 $287,920
 

State Board of Elections
1020 South Spring Street
Springfield, IL 62704
Phone: 217-782-4141
Fax: 217-782-5959
Email: webmaster@elections.il.gov 

Just letting everyone know, what he has made over the years.

Walter Johnson
Galena, Illinois

Oct. 15, 2010

 With all the political mud slinging around just before the November 2nd election, one could easily get distracted by what's really important. As voters and gatekeepers of this more perfect union, we must look at the track record of the “current” office holders and decide if they deserve another term or if we send them packing for home.

Let's look at one record of the current Democratic led US Congress. According to the “Americans for Tax Reform” (www.atr.org), the 111th US Congress has enacted $352 Billion of new net tax increases on the American citizens this term (see http://www.atr.org/files/files/101310pr_Net_Tax_Hike(1).pdf, their website also has links to Congress's own “Joint Committee on Taxation” reports to back this up). This avalanche of new taxes does not include the upcoming tax hike that will occur from this Democratic led Congress allowing the Bush Tax Cuts to expire at the end of 2010. The Bush Tax Cuts have helped lower taxes for every taxpayer at every level of taxation, not just the rich, like the mainstream media would have you believe. Back in February, President Obama established the 18-member bipartisan “debt” commission which is due to give its final recommendation on December 1st, conveniently just after the election. They are likely to recommend further tax increases, a VAT tax or a Cap and Trade tax, to try and bring down the deficit, which is out of control.

Hopefully I haven't distracted you yet, because I propose to you that the root problem of our government's money mess isn't really a taxation problem, it's a spending problem! As long as the ungodly spending continues, this mess will never be resolved, no matter how high the tax rates get. "The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets" Proverbs 21:20, LB. This wisdom applies to governments, too. I guess it would probably help if they actually read the bills, before they pass them! This government is clearly on the path to Socialism. That's when the government decides the needs of the people and takes control of production to try and meet those needs. But only God and the abilities He gives us (grace) can meet our needs.
Before November 2nd, please take the time to find out the records and positions of those on the ballot at “www.votesmart.org” and then send those that are big spenders home where they belong!

Larry Jogerst
Lena 

Splitting the Vote
10/2010

     It’s election time again, and the Illinois US Senate race should be on our minds. While Liberals, Progressives, and Socialists have a smorgasbord of three candidates from which to choose, Conservatives have only one choice. Two candidates are happily wallowing in the mud-slinging pit we’ve come to expect this time of year, but the lone conservative is over there, standing on the firm ground of his convictions.

     If you think the government should choose your light bulbs, dictate your toilet, cripple your employers, select your car, mandate your health insurance, set your thermostat, confiscate your hard-earned wealth, melt down your guns, and limit your freedom in each and every aspect of your life, you’ve got a tough choice to make among three candidates. If you think allowing the Federal Reserve to manipulate a fiat currency, crushing responsible savers, immolating senior citizen’s retirements, and demolishing your children’s future, you’ve got some head-scratching in store, to select which of the three you’ll choose in order to continue these policies.

     If, on the other hand, you believe the United States Constitution provides an unequivocal guide to the smallest, best government in the history of civilization, it’s easy, as Mike Labno is your only choice for U.S. Senator from Illinois.

     Mike Labno doesn’t believe hard hats are to be used as stepping stones to wealth, power, and corruption. A hard hat is what he’ll have to put up on the shelf until the end of his service.

"What counts now is not just what we are against, but what we are for. Who leads us is less important than what leads us — what convictions, what courage, what faith — win or lose." - Adlai Stevenson

Terry Smith
Lanark